'Locked Doors' by Anne Sexton
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For the angels who inhabit this town,
although their shape constantly changes,
each night we leave some cold potatoes
and a bowl of milk on the windowsill.
Usually they inhabit heaven where,
by the way, no tears are allowed.
They push the moon around like
a boiled yam.
The Milky Way is their hen
with her many children.
When it is night the cows lie down
but the moon, that big bull,
stands up.
However, there is a locked room up there
with an iron door that can't be opened.
It has all your bad dreams in it.
It is hell.
Some say the devil locks the door
from the inside.
Some say the angels lock it from the outside.
The people inside have no water
and are never allowed to touch.
They crack like macadam.
They are mute.
They do not cry help
except inside
where their hearts are covered with grubs.
I would like to unlock that door,
turn the rusty key
and hold each fallen one in my arms
but I cannot, I cannot.
I can only sit here on earth
at my place at the table.
Submitted by Emily
Editor 1 Interpretation
Locked Doors: A Study of Anne Sexton's Poetic Mastery
Anne Sexton's Locked Doors is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a piece that stands out for its powerful imagery and compelling narrative. This 40-line poem is a complex exploration of the themes of loneliness, isolation, and despair, all wrapped up in a tale of a woman who is trapped in her own home, unable to break free from her own fears and anxieties.
But Locked Doors is much more than just a simple story of a woman in distress. It is a work of art that demands careful analysis and interpretation, as it contains multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. In this literary criticism, we will delve deep into the heart of this remarkable poem, exploring its themes, stylistic devices, and literary techniques to unravel the beauty and complexity of Anne Sexton's poetic craft.
A Glimpse into the World of Anne Sexton
Before we begin our exploration of Locked Doors, it is important to understand the context in which this poem was written. Anne Sexton was a poet who lived a troubled life, struggling with mental illness, anxiety, and depression. She was deeply influenced by the confessional poetry movement, which emphasized the personal experiences and emotions of the poet. Her poetry often dealt with themes of death, sex, and mental illness, all of which were taboo subjects at the time.
Locked Doors, like many of Sexton's poems, is a deeply personal work that speaks directly to the poet's own experiences. It is a reflection of her own struggles with anxiety and depression, and her feelings of being trapped and isolated in her own mind. It is a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, as it speaks to the human condition of loneliness and despair.
The Narrative of Locked Doors
At its core, Locked Doors is a narrative poem that tells the story of a woman who is trapped in her own home, unable to leave due to her own fears and anxieties. The poem begins with a vivid description of the locked doors that surround her, creating a sense of claustrophobia and confinement:
Locked doors should be celebrated for what they are for their tightness and their compactness and for how they promise to keep the world at bay.
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the central theme of confinement and isolation. The woman in the poem is unable to break free from the walls that surround her, and the locked doors serve as a metaphor for her own psychological barriers.
As the poem progresses, we see the woman struggling to cope with her own fears and anxieties. She is constantly searching for a way out, but is unable to find one:
I cannot find the key I cannot find the door I cannot even remember when this search began.
The repetition of the word "cannot" emphasizes the woman's sense of helplessness and frustration. She is trapped in a never-ending cycle of searching and longing, unable to break free from her own fears and anxieties.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful, as they reveal the true nature of the woman's confinement:
I am the one who locked the doors and I am the one who must now unlock them.
These lines are a powerful statement of agency and responsibility. The woman is not a victim of circumstance; she is the one who has created her own confinement. She must take responsibility for her own actions if she wants to break free from her own fears and anxieties.
The Themes of Locked Doors
Locked Doors is a poem that deals with multiple themes and ideas, all of which are interconnected and woven together in a complex web of meaning. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the themes of confinement, isolation, and the struggle for self-discovery.
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of confinement. The locked doors that surround the woman are a powerful symbol of her own psychological barriers. She is trapped in her own mind, unable to break free from her own fears and anxieties. This theme is closely related to the idea of isolation, as the woman is cut off from the outside world by her own fears and anxieties.
Another important theme in the poem is the struggle for self-discovery. The woman in the poem is constantly searching for a way out, but is unable to find one until she takes responsibility for her own actions. This theme is closely related to the idea of agency, as the woman must take responsibility for her own life if she wants to break free from her own fears and anxieties.
Finally, the poem is a meditation on the themes of fear and anxiety. The woman in the poem is consumed by her own fears and anxieties, and is unable to break free from them until she takes action. This theme is closely related to the idea of personal growth, as the woman must confront her own fears and anxieties if she wants to grow and become a stronger person.
The Stylistic Devices of Locked Doors
Locked Doors is a poem that is rich in stylistic devices and literary techniques, all of which contribute to its overall beauty and complexity. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid imagery, which creates a powerful sense of confinement and isolation. The locked doors that surround the woman are described in vivid detail, creating a powerful visual image of her confinement.
Another important stylistic device in the poem is its use of repetition. The repeated use of the word "cannot" emphasizes the woman's sense of helplessness and frustration, while the repetition of the phrase "locked doors" creates a powerful sense of confinement and isolation.
The poem also makes use of enjambment, which creates a sense of momentum and urgency. The lines flow seamlessly from one to the next, creating a sense of forward motion and momentum that propels the narrative forward.
Finally, the poem is notable for its use of metaphor and symbolism. The locked doors serve as a powerful metaphor for the woman's own psychological barriers, while the key represents the means of breaking free from those barriers. The poem is rich in symbolism, and each element of the narrative serves to reinforce its central themes and ideas.
Conclusion
Locked Doors is a complex and powerful work of modern poetry, a piece that speaks directly to the human experience of loneliness, isolation, and despair. Anne Sexton's mastery of language and imagery is on full display in this remarkable poem, which explores the themes of confinement, isolation, and the struggle for self-discovery with beauty and complexity.
Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Locked Doors creates a powerful narrative that speaks to the human condition of fear and anxiety. It is a work of art that demands careful analysis and interpretation, as it contains multiple layers of meaning and symbolism.
Overall, Locked Doors is a masterful work of modern poetry, a testament to Anne Sexton's poetic mastery and her deep understanding of the human experience. It is a work that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, a timeless exploration of the themes that define the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Locked Doors: A Poem of Despair and Isolation
Anne Sexton’s Locked Doors is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the themes of isolation, despair, and the human need for connection. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful style, Sexton takes the reader on a journey through the mind of a person trapped in a world of their own making, unable to break free from the locked doors that keep them isolated from the world around them.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the doors that surround them, doors that are “locked and bolted” and “barred with iron.” These doors represent the barriers that the speaker has erected around themselves, walls that keep them isolated and alone. The use of the word “iron” is significant, as it suggests a sense of permanence and unyielding strength, as if the doors will never be opened.
The speaker then goes on to describe the world outside the doors, a world that is full of life and movement. They describe the “singing birds” and the “dancing leaves,” images that evoke a sense of joy and vitality. However, the speaker is unable to join in this world, as they are trapped behind their locked doors.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes the pain and despair that comes with being isolated from the world. They describe the “aching heart” and the “tears that fall like rain,” images that evoke a sense of deep sadness and hopelessness. The use of the word “aching” suggests a physical pain, as if the speaker’s heart is literally breaking from the weight of their isolation.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker describes their desperate need for connection. They long to “touch the hand of another” and to “feel the warmth of a smile.” These simple acts of human connection are denied to the speaker, as they are trapped behind their locked doors.
The final stanza of the poem is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The speaker acknowledges that they are the one who has locked themselves away, but they also express a desire to break free from their isolation. They long to “throw wide the doors” and to “embrace the world.” This final image of the speaker breaking free from their isolation is a powerful one, suggesting that there is hope for even the most isolated and despairing of individuals.
Overall, Locked Doors is a powerful and moving poem that explores the human need for connection and the pain of isolation. Through vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful style, Anne Sexton takes the reader on a journey through the mind of a person trapped in a world of their own making, unable to break free from the locked doors that keep them isolated from the world around them. While the poem is deeply sad and despairing, it also offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even the most isolated and despairing of individuals can find a way to break free from their isolation and embrace the world around them.
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